Humanity Through Education's blog provides information & updates about the U.S. government's assault on wild horses. Simple actions everyone can take are given regularly to help Americans become engaged with the government which has for years scapegoated wild horses for the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) mismanagement of public lands. Now is the time to raise your voice to stop this unnecessary and wasteful program.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

January 27, 2010: John Neill told humane observers yesterday that the orphaned foal would be moved to Palomino holding facility tomorrow so that Willis Lamm and his organization could get the foal for adoption.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Long-time BLM rep, Lilly Thomas, told public observers at the Fallon holding facility that she does not want wranglers, vets or BLM folks taking the time to take photos of animals they are going to kill. Lilly said that she is in charge of roundup contractors and long-term holding facilities and that it is BLM practice not to take photos.

Jan 26, 2010:Long-time BLM rep Lilly Thomas told public observers at the Fallon holding facility that she does not want wranglers, vets or BLM folks taking the time to take photos of animals they are going to kill. Lilly said that she is in charge of roundup contractors and long-term holding facilities and that it is BLM practice not to take photos.

It's hard to know what is really happening at the Calico roundup because the BLM refuses to allow public observation of all roundup operations. Despite repeated requests for complete observation access, the BLM continues to severely restrict observation to a few of hours on three days a week.

While forbidding the public to observe all aspects of this government operation, the BLM is now releasing select information pertaining to deaths, some previously unannounced, resulting from the Calico roundup.

We now learn that on Jan 23 a mare, at the holding facility, was stressed and struggled so much that she "ran into a gate and broke her neck." We are also now told that a stallion was found dead in a pen on Jan 14 (note: BLM waited 11 days to announce this death) and attributed his death to "failure to adjust to a change in feed." BLM does not reveal how long either of these horses were at the facility. For the BLM's latest laundry list of deaths and rationalizations click here.

While forbidding the public to observe all aspects of this government operation, the BLM is now releasing select information pertaining to deaths, some previously unannounced, resulting from the Calico roundup. For more information click here.

We now learn that on Jan 23 a mare, at the holding facility, was stressed and struggled so much that she "ran into a gate and broke her neck." We are also now told that a stallion was found dead in a pen on Jan 14 (note: BLM waited 11 days to announce this death) and attributed his death to "failure to adjust to a change in feed." BLM does not reveal how long either of these horses were at the facility.

For the BLM's latest laundry list of deaths and rationalizations click here.

Monday, January 25, 2010

We arrived at the trap site today, Monday, and were told by Alan Shepherd, Nevada lead for Wild Horse & Burro program, that the roundup had been canceled due to weather conditions. We requested that we be allowed to observe the roundup on Tuesday (especially considering today's cancellation). Mr. Shepherd said that would not be allowed and indicated that the Nevada and Washington DC offices "had decided" that the public would be restricted to observation of the government operation to a few hours on three days a week. See video below of Don Glenn, director of the Wild Horse & Burro, who heads up the Washington office state the public would be provided full access to observe roundups.

Jan 25, 2010: We requested that we be allowed to observe the roundup on Tuesday (especially considering today's [Monday's] cancellation). Mr. Shepherd said that would not be allowed and indicated that the Nevada and Washington DC offices "had decided" that the public would be restricted to observation of the government operation to a few hours on three days a week.

It's hard to know what is really happening at the Calico roundup because the BLM refuses to allow public observation of all roundup operations. Despite repeated requests for complete observation access, the BLM continues to severely restrict observation to a few of hours on three days a week. Based on the highly limited information that the BLM is providing ... we now know that at least two more horses were killed at the Indian Lakes Road Fallon holding facility.

After being run long and hard, the BLM reports that a colt's hooves were so badly destroyed (hoof sloughing) during the roundup and he was killed presumably on Jan 18 - even though BLM didn't report on this until Jan 21.

Originally BLM simply reported, "One colt with multiple hoof sloughs from the capture was euthanized at the facility." (click here for original BLM posting) Later the BLM amended its post to claim that this colt had been treated for two weeks. BLM never informed the humane observers who visited the holding facility of this colt's condition and treatment; BLM never reported this colt's condition before his death yesterday.

BLM states that yet another mare died at the Fallon holding facility after being downed in the trailer probably for hours. Upon arrival at the holding facility she was found down and subsequently died. 02/01/10 UPDATE: She was packed with up to 13 other horses in a compartment on the truck - the contractor indicates they load up to 39-40 horses per truck load. Because the BLM refuses to photo/video document horses they kill we will never know whether this downed horse in the trailer was trampled, kicked or sustained injuries because she could not stand. (NOTE on 01/26/10 Lilly Thomas told public observers at the Fallon holding facility that she does not want wranglers, vets or BLM folks taking the time to take photos of animals they are going to kill. Lilly said that she is in charge of roundup contractors and long-term holding facilities and that it is BLM practice not to take photos.)
No members of the public were allowed to observe the Jan 21 roundup and public observation at the Fallon holding facility is severely restricted to specific hours on specific days.

Below is video of Don Glenn, director of BLM Wild Horse & Burro program. Mr. Glenn stated repeatedly on Dec 7, 2009 that full public observation of roundups ("gathers") would be provided:
"All of our gathers are open to the public ... if we had hundreds of thousands of people wanting to come out and watch a gather we'd have to manage that situation ... If the public or the press wants to observe a gather, they just need to get a hold of us and tell us that they want to observe a gather and we'll accommodate them ... they can come and observe the gather for the whole time ... we will accommodate them."

It's hard to know what is really happening at the Calico roundup because the BLM refuses to allow public observation of all roundup operations. Despite repeated requests for complete observation access, the BLM continues to severely restrict observation to a few of hours on three days a week. Based on the highly limited information that the BLM is providing ... we now know that at least two more horses were killed at the Indian Lakes Road Fallon holding facility.

After being run long and hard, the BLM reports that a colt's hooves were so badly destroyed (hoof sloughing) during the roundup and he was killed presumably on Jan 18 - even though BLM didn't report on this until Jan 21.

Originally BLM simply reported, "One colt with multiple hoof sloughs from the capture was euthanized at the facility." (click here for original BLM posting) Later the BLM amended its post to claim that this colt had been treated for two weeks. BLM never informed the humane observers who visited the holding facility of this colt's condition and treatment; BLM never reported this colt's condition before his death yesterday.

BLM states that yet another mare died at the Fallon holding facility after being downed in the trailer probably for hours. Upon arrival at the holding facility she was found down and subsequently died. She was likely trampled as the horses are packed tightly into transport trucks.

No members of the public were allowed to observe the Jan 21 roundup and public observation at the Fallon holding facility is severely restricted to specific hours on specific days.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

ANOTHER CALICO DEATH AT HOLDING FACILITYThe BLM claims another horse died at the brand new "Indian Lakes" Fallon holding facility. All the BLM states is: "One 12-year-old mare from the Black Rock West HMA died at Fallon. She arrived in weak and poor condition and had been at the facility for four days."

Monday, January 11, 2010

Jan 11, 2010:ANOTHER DEATH REPORTEDBLM reports another death has resulted from the Calico roundup. This time a mare (age unknown) was found dead over this past weekend at the Fallon "Indian Lakes" holding facility. The only information provided by the BLM on this latest death follows: "The veterinarian diagnosis is the mare died as the result of dietary feed change." BLM states that bad weather stopped roundup actions on Thu (1/7), Sat-Mon (1/9-1/11). Sadly, on Tue BLM took 99 horses from their homes on the range and separated them forever from their families. Latest victims include 43 stallions, 34 mares & 21 "weanlings/foals."

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Sue Cattoor, owner of the roundup company, notified us that the mare who was killed by BLM on Jan 28, 2010 was not related to the orphaned foal shown below. This does not negate the tragedy that the BLM has inflicted on these two individuals. There is no way to verify any of this information due to the lack of transparency of the BLM . This confusion is the direct result of the BLM's refusal to allow daily public observation of all aspects of the gov't roundup operation. BLM is currently limiting public observation of this MILLION-DOLLAR, TAXPAYER-FUNDED operation to 3 out of 7 days a week and further restricts observation to only for 3-4 hours of each 10-hour day.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Yesterday the BLM killed another mare claiming "poor body condition." It is unknown if this mare's condition was documented with video and/or photos. Despite the controversy surrounding the Calico roundup, the BLM reported that no photo-documentation was taken of the foal or mare who were killed last week.

NOTE: It turns out the BLM PR person, Lisa Ross, was wrong when she informed humane observer Deniz Bolbol previously that no photos were taken of the mare who was killed. BLM and the contractor have since posted photos of a mare they claim is the one who was killed. BLM still claims no photos were taken of the foal who was run to death.

First the BLM traumatizes this foal by chasing him with helicopters to remove him from his home on the range. Somehow, inquiries have been submitted to BLM, this foal was separated from his mother - forcing this young calf to be on his own. Then he was trucked for hours, with other captured horses, to a holding facility where he was put in a pen with two mare/foal pairs. After he bonded with one of the mares - standing near her for comfort and security - the BLM then pulls him away from this mare and puts him by himself in a pen. Once again the BLM claims to be doing this for the "benefit" of the horses. What a sad and tragic story.

www.aowha.org; W./S. Lamm, Jan. 2, 2010 orphan foal on the left

Update from Willis Lamm, January 7, 2010:

John Neill promised to provide an update on the "Calico orphan." I received the following report this morning.

Willis, just a quick update on the orphan. He has been gaining strength each day. We did relocate him to an adjacent holding pen next to the pairs in order to provide him more nutrition than he would consume through oat hay. He presently has both oat hay and alfalfa along with BLM formulated pellets for foals. Dr. Sanford and I continue to monitor the health of the animals each day.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The BLM reports that as of yesterday they rounded up 299 wild horses in Calico Complex, Nevada. BLM claims there were two mortalities to date - the 20+ year old mare who was shot to death due to "poor body condition" and the 6-month-old foal who was run to death (see details below). Photos and/or video of the animals killed have been requested; BLM has indicated they did not taken any photogenic documentation of these horses.

BLM has moved the capture operation from private land in Paiute Meadows Ranch to private land in Soldier Meadows where they will remain for the next two weeks. Daily access for public observation of the roundup activities is being denied and the BLM has selected 3 days each week (for the next 3 weeks) to allow orchestrated public observation. BLM claims staffing constraints as the reason to limiting public observation of this multi-million-dollar government operation.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

FIELD REPORTBy Craig C. Downer, Wildlife Ecologistand Elyse Gardner, Public Observer
January 2, 2010Below are photos of the roundup that took place today (Saturday, January 2, 2009) showing how the captured band stallion, "Freedom," valiantly fought for and regained his liberty although he had to leave his family of 8 adult mares and 2 colts. Jumping a 6-foot fence and immediately thereafter breaking through a barbed wire fence and injuring himself, this was an awe-inspiring, do-or-die effort demonstrating the loathing of captivity to a wild horse and his need for freedom. We can only pray for his recovery from the injuries he sustained from the barbed wire.

Before his escape, he became hung up by his front legs when he reared with all his might to attempt an escape from the narrow fenced area where he was being examined by Sue Cattoor and her wrangler.

Also included here are shots of the capture of his entire band, the 11 horses including Freedom himself.

More to come. Right now we are just sending stills. We have videos and interviews, but these photos really do capture the anguish and drama of the roundup for these majestic icons, our treasured American wild mustangs.

Photography by Craig C. Downer 1/2/10 11:11:46 a.m.

The capture of Freedom and his band by helicopter, 11 horses.

Photography by Craig C. Downer 1/2/10 11:11:58 a.m.

Band stallion, Freedom, in the lead. You can see the Judas horse, trained to run into the pens so the wild horses will follow, being released.

Photography by Craig C. Downer 1/2/10 11:23:34 a.m.

Desperate horses, Freedom and his family huddle together.

Photography by Elyse Gardner 1/2/10 11:28:48 a.m.

During examination, Freedom attempts escape and gets caught up on the fence.

Photography by Elyse Gardner 1/2/10 11:28:51 a.m.

Slipping as he struggles to free his upper leg from the fence.

Photography by Elyse Gardner 1/2/10 11:28:53 a.m.

Photography by Elyse Gardner 1/2/10 11:28:51 a.m.

Photography by Craig C. Downer 1/2/10 11:30:18 a.m.

Preparing first failed attempt to clear 6-foot fence to freedom. He fell on his back during this attempt but pressed on to try again...

Photography by Craig C. Downer 1/2/10 11:30:34 a.m.

Preparing for final herculean effort to clear 6-foot fence to freedom...

Photography by Craig C. Downer 1/2/10 11:31:33 a.m.

...only to have to crash through barbed wire...

Photography by Craig C. Downer 1/2/10 11:31:36 a.m.

...to a bittersweet return to freedom, for leaving his cherished family behind

Friday, January 1, 2010

APHIS vet necropsy of Foal Run to Death on Jan 1, 2010 available here.

On New Year's Day, the BLM rounded up 10 wild horses but only captured 9 because a 6-month old foal died en route. APHIS vet at the scene, Dr. Al Kane, reported that after being chased by the helicopter for "1/2 mile" the little foal was falling down. It is reported that the pilot radioed Dr. Kane that this foal was having problems; Dr. Kane went out to see the foal who was found dead. Dr. Kane said that he did a necropsy in the field and indicated he thought the colt has a congenital heart defect. They left the body in the field and refused to allow the public observers to witness the body. This foal lived his last moments in utter terror, forced to run, falling repeatedly and his family being stampeded away by government-contracted helicopters.

History: The pilot reported this colt lied down twice while moving just ½ mile from the original location of the band of horses. The second time he radioed to the trap for wranglers to come with a trailer and assist the colt as he seemed unlikely to make it to the trap. I accompanied the wranglers to the location. We arrived to the colt’s location about 10 minutes after the call from the pilot. On arrival he was found dead, lying in left lateral recumbency, with no signs of struggle or agonal movements apparent in the surrounding snow.

Examination: Alan Shepherd accompanied me during this necropsy examination. The carcass was rolled onto the right side, no external abnormalities were noted. Front right leg was lifted and reflected dorsally. On opening the chest cavity negative pressure was apparent. There was no blood present in the trachea. There was a large amount of free blood in the chest cavity. The lungs were pink and airy with no abnormalities noted.

On examination in-situ a hole was apparent in the pulmonary artery at the base. The left ventricle was thickened and larger than expected and the atria were thin and without muscular tone. There was an area of thinning and apparent aneurysm on the left atrium.

The abdominal cavity was examined with no abnormalities noted. Body condition was moderately thin with only small amounts of subcutaneous and abdominal fat noted.

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is the blog for HumanityThroughEducation.com a nonprofit organization dedicated to education to promote humanity, compassion and a greater appreciation and understanding for all. The collection and distribution of information are the focus of the San Francisco Bay Area based group which works with concerned citizens around the world.